"Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what's left of you." (Reed)

Employers who invest in the mental health of their employees with counselor-led workshops do so for several reasons. As a leader of such workshops, Heidi Brouelette, MA. LPC., founder and clinical supervisor  for Discovery Wellness Counseling and Consulting in Scottsdale, Arizona, believes that the employers who hire her are making a significant investment in their company and employees. With over a decade of experience, she knows people and the value of implementing proactive strategies that address the whole person in the workforce and reinforce why the investment is non-negotiable.

Longstanding evidence has been that investing in employee emotional health can improve workers' well-being and performance, increasing productivity and job satisfaction. Evidence suggests that employers believe addressing mental health can enhance workplace performance. A study by the World Health Organization found that for every $1 invested in scaling up treatment for common mental health disorders, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Furthermore, a National Business Group on Health survey found that 73% of employers believe addressing mental health can improve employee productivity and overall business performance.

These findings suggest employers increasingly recognize the importance of mental health in the workplace and the potential benefits of investing in employee well-being. 

By addressing mental health concerns and providing resources and support for employees, employers may improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and create a healthier and more positive workplace culture. Brouelette has seen firsthand how employees' mental health can affect their ability to do their jobs well. "What I've learned as a counselor is that there are many people who have issues with depression and anxiety," she explained. "It's not just a matter of taking time off. Many people don't know what to do with their feelings, and they need help to process the feelings associated with their work - the situations they encounter."

Employers can reduce the costs associated with burn out, overwhelm, and organizational strain including absenteeism and presenteeism (when workers come to work but are less productive than they would be if they were well). Brouelette says she has never seen an employer who didn't benefit from investing in their workers' mental health.

One of the solutions employers can offer is counselor-led workshops. Counsel-led workshops are an effective way to address mental health in the workplace. According to the Harvard Business Review, these workshops help employees develop coping mechanisms and stress management skills. Additionally, helping reduce the stigma surrounding emotional health issues in the workplace, making it easier for employees to seek help. 

One of the two-day workshops Brouelette created and led is called "Permission to Heal." In the two-day workshop, workers in the social work industry are led through sessions designed to understand loss and the nervous system, learn tools and concepts to process grief, and adopt healthy coping skills. During the two days, workers use the time to  learn how to take care of themselves and are provided with concrete steps to process their emotions  allowing them to be more present with their clients and more productive when they return. Heidi's workshops help participants understand themselves better, equipping participants with tools that they can use anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Thus, shifting the accumulated tension of stress and overwhelm both organizationally, and personally. 

Too often, social workers, first responders and outdoor industry workers are expected to be superheroes who never get tired or sick. When this happens, burnout is inevitable and can lead to severe consequences for clients and communities. Counsel-led workshops help workers understand their own needs as well as the needs of those they serve. They offer a safe space for social workers, outdoor industry and other emergency service providers to talk about what they've seen, how it has affected them personally, and how they can use their professional skills to help others facing similar hardships. 

Investing in employee mental health with counselor-led workshops can benefit both employees and employers. By improving employee well-being and performance, reducing turnover rates, and positively impacting a company's bottom line, employers can create a healthier and more productive workplace.

To learn more about how you can help your employees maintain a healthy work-life balance and reduce the effects of burnout, contact the counseling team at Discovery and Wellness Counseling and Consulting today. We'll help you create a customized employee wellness program that addresses the specific needs of your business.